4. History: Health &
Environment Resource
Center is pleased to present
"Sweet Poison:WhatYour
NoseCan’tTellYou about the
Dangers of Perfume issues
related to the widespread
use of fragrance products
5. INTRUDUCTION: Many consumer
products contain fragrances.These
products include personal products (i.e.
perfumes/colognes, shampoos,
conditioners, hairspray, shaving cream,
make-up, baby care products, deodorants,
soap, feminine products, etc.), and
household products (i.e. cleaners, air
fresheners, bleach, laundry detergent,
fabric softeners, etc.).
The fragrance product such as perfume
may contain as many as 600 individual
chemical ingredients.
Of the 5,000 different chemicals used in
fragrance products, less than 20% have
been tested and reported as toxic.
6. Effects: The fragrance chemicals can cause
health effects, primarily at the skin, lungs and
brain. Fragrances have also effect on people with
chronic lung disease, particularly asthma. Study
results differ, but some data suggests that as
many as 75% of known asthmatics) have asthma
attacks that are triggered by perfumes.
Finally, a number of studies have been
conducted to show how fragrance affects the
brain. Because of the strong connection between
scent and memory, we know that fragrance
products can cross the blood brain barrier.This is
important because it means that fragrance
chemicals have the potential to affect, and
possibly damage, brain tissue.This kind of effect
is called 'neurotoxicity
7. Transplantation: Fragrance chemicals can
enter the body through inhalation and
ingestion through the nose and
mouth, and absorption through the skin.
Once in the body they are absorbed into
the bloodstream and transported
throughout the body. Individual sensitivity
to the effects of fragrance chemicals vary
widely from no effect at all to severe
symptoms.
8. Symptoms: headache (), sneezing, watery
eyes, sinus
problems, anxiety, nausea, wheezing
(especially in asthmatics), shortness of
breath, inability to concentrate, brain-
fog, sore throat, cough, chest
tightness, hyperactivity (especially in
children),.
Cure:
Avoiding
